PS2

[ChrisMG187]

OK, I know that the PS2 came out a few days ago, but Sony did basically NO prerelease ads for the system. I didn't realize that it was coming out this week until about 2 weeks ago. Who here agrees that Sony doesn't really want to sell PS2's. The ONE PS2 commercial I've seen talks about the "PS9, complete with improved retinal scanning and full body immersion." I was like "What the hell?!" Then at the end of the commercial it had the PS logo on the screen and the words "Playstation 2" printed below it, yet still the original "Play-stay-shun" sound byte at the end of the commercial. Come on Sony, you want to sell a system? It takes advertising and a launch of over half a million units. Let's go.

[kain9i6]

But I am still willing to bet that sony will sell out their half a million unit shipment. And the next one.. and the next one and possibly the next 3.. Supply and demand.. It's like a girl. Always wanting what isn't there or she can't have, or better yet.. What someone else already has.. Why spend millions and millions on marketing when a greedy corporation such as sony can save it and STILL make the money.. As we all know anyways, word of mouth is the best advertisements.

[gear02]

I still think the PS2 is a POS. A overhyped machine that depends on the Playstation brand name. I also think that Sony is deliberately trying to create demand by undershipping units. Whatever their excuse was (I think parts shortage), though it may be legitimate, it certainly falls well into their plans. I also hate those damned ebayers trying to sell their PS2 for like $1000.

LONG LIVE THE PC!!!

[pennypinch]

How do you create demand by shorting supply? Makes no economic sense.

Why do you hate Ebayers? Last I checked, it was a bidding system, these guys sell for whatever a person wants to pay. These guys setting four digit reserves aren't getting their price anyway, so they end up with nothing.

[gear02]

ok...so maybe sony isn't deliberately undershipping. But I remember Nintendo did the same thing with the N64 and that was artificial.

I think the idea is that if the supply is very limited, people would be more inclined to buy one now (think of those "limited edition" dvds or other thinds). If someone went to the store and found like 3000 units of the PS2 at release date, people wouldn't be in a rush to get one immediately. Others might think that since there were so many, then no one was buying it because it may be stupid. By having the store shelves empty, with rabid customers hunting for the ps2, it makes it look like it's very much wanted and thus it justifies making people pay $300-$400...

according to some news report a few months ago, the head designer for the chip had died in the process of programming the chip and a replacement was hard to find. that resulted in less time to mass produce the chips.

i did some research after i posted. the original chip designer died in 1996, his pest friend continued his work, but he did not get along with the u.s. team as well as his predecessor. they constantly were under pressure. check out http://careerjournal.com/careers/res...00810-guth.htm for the story

[M_A_C]

OK enough of that crap, as we all know now, it was hard to get one, and those of us that did, are lucky. Now, I got SSX, and it's AWESOME. Slows down a bit in parts, but the actual game is really great. Anyone else get any good PS2 games? All the other ones I've seen so far don't look that fun. What other good games are there?

[ProMinx]

you really think they aren't doing enough advertising? i see the PS9 "mind control" commercial 2-3 times a day, and even without the ads they'll have no problem filling orders. Who needs advertising when you can use the news channels (that all covered the release and the shortage) instead for free.
ProMinx

[pennypinch]

Madden 2K1 is extremely phat. It's the most comprehensive football "experience" I've ever played. No more of that Super Techmo Bowl "run diagonally until you're in the end zone" techniques. The collisions are pretty realistic, and if you want to be a total dork, you can use the Madden effect cards. The Franchise function is pretty neato too; I've always wanted to see how Drew Bledsoe would do with the Viking receivers.

Extremely fun, if a little slow moving. To get the most out of it, you have to be a pretty big football fan, but it's still fun for casual players (so say my less fanatical friends).

[M_A_C]

Anyone played Smuggler's Run? That game looks real good, I may have to go rent it.

[pennypinch]

Actually, of the games that I've played (a big fat 3) the most on-point reviews are at ps2.ign.com . I'm really impressed; they manage to convey how cool looking these games are without blowing their load, still pointing out where games come up short. Smuggler's Run is usually in stock at Kozmo. If you use one of those free movie coupons, you can rent games for a little over 50 cents